Event in the spotlight: Girls' Night In

The annual event, which was held at Hyatt Regency Sydney, has so far raised more than $25,000 in the five years it has been running.

L to R: Daniel Divic and Trina Butler.

On 26 October, HelmsBriscoe business partners Daniela Divic and Trina Butler held their fifth annual client event, Girls’ Night In, at Hyatt Regency Sydney’s Jackalberry Bar.

The two-hour cocktail style event was held to mark cancer awareness month and Do It For Cancer, raising much needed funds.

Event partners Hyatt Regency, who have supported out event since its’ inception, generously donated the venue, the beautiful canapés and food stations, and beverages, while guests celebrated with a PINK drink of rosé and bubbles.

Hyatt Regency Sydney provided the venue and delicious canapes.

What was the purpose of your event?

It is estimated that more than 20,000 women will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Our annual girls’ night is part of the Cancer Council’s national “Girls’ Night In” initiative to raise much needed funds. All funds raised at these events go towards research, prevention, and support for all women’s cancers. The concept of the event is simple; catch up with the girls to raise money for women’s cancers over canapés, cocktails and pampering. This year was special as it was our first time back together since 2020 without restrictions. Each year we have an inspirational speaker, who shares their story and encourages all of us to get checked. This year Anna Carniato shared her story of Melanoma, something that is especially poignant going into Summer!

How was the event delivered?

Girls Night In 2022 was a stunning two-hour cocktail event with pampering stations including make-up touch ups and mini massages, an inspirational talk by a cancer survivor, lucky door prizes and a silent auction.

What were the highlights of the event?

Anna urging every single one of us to book an appointment to get our skin checked and clients emailing us telling us they had booked an appointment the very next day.

Also, the incredible variety of silent auction items which included team building by Be Challenged, a luxury yachting experience for six, Maui Jim sunglasses, four nights in Club Med Bali, breakfast at Luke Mangan’s Glass, high tea at the Park Hyatt, an overnight package with Breakfast at Crowne Plaza Terrigal, and an overnight package with breakfast at the newly re-branded Manly Pacific.

The pamper station was another popular activation this year and the massage as a 2022 newcomer was equally popular – some or our guests enjoyed it so much they are adding them to their own events!

Who was involved?

It was a collaborative event where we partnered with our global partners Hyatt Hotels specifically the Hyatt Regency, together with award-winning conference, incentive and business events agency The Conference Room/Colette Baini. We also reached out to a number of industry colleagues to request donations in kind for our silent auction and were elated when we ended up with a prize pool of over $30,000.00 including: Be Challenged, Ahoy Club, Maui Jim Sunglasses, Crystalbrook Cairns, Spicers Hunter Valley, Hilton Gold Coast, Park Hyatt Sydney, Park Hyatt Melbourne, Sheraton Grand, Hilton Sydney, Crowne Plaza Terrigal, Zjoosh, Club Med, West Curio Sydney, Sydney Olympic Park, Hawaii Tourism Oceania, Novotel Sydney Airport, Manly Pacific, INSITE MIND, Bridge Climb, Village Roadshow, Q Station Manly, William Inglis Hotel, Kingpin Bowling, Hyatt Regency Sydney, Chateau Elan, Kyah Boutique Hotel & Eydisd Aesthetics. What was even more special was that a few of our treasured clients also donated to our prize pool including Lindt Chocolate & Keune Hair.

Daniela and Trina with The Conference Room’s Colette Baini.

What challenges were faced and how they were overcome?

As we navigate the return to events, we are seeing an eager enthusiasm to be part of something bigger, something for good! This event is one where we have always seen partners’ generosity and willingness to work for a great outcome, and this year was no different. Indeed, we asked hotel and supplier partners to donate prizes outside the Hyatt family and were met with a humbling array of items for the auction and raffle.

The event gets bigger each year and more people want to join us. The discussion piece has been around whether or not we start charging an entry fee in 2023. Deciding the best way to raise funds for example – gold coin donations for the pamper experiences, making sure all of the auction items are paid by the end of the night. Balancing the guest list – we have 50 spots and in the 24 hours leading up to the event, we have a wash due to illness and increased work schedules and we want to make sure we fill each spot.

What did the event achieve overall?

We are ecstatic as we managed to raise $8,000.00 at the event through raffle tickets and the silent auction and this figure is still growing each day as guests who could not be with us due to illness or hectic work schedules, continue to donate to our cause via online.

So far in the five years that we have been hosting this event, we have raised more than $25,000 and we may even reach $30,000.

What was the feedback?

Since the event, we have received countless emails, text messages and phone calls thanking us for such an amazing event. We have also had several industry people reach out and ask how they can be involved next year and or attend/support this special event.